The JV Dons (8-10 overall, 4-5 in league) travelled to Northgate to avenge their earlier loss at home 47-51.  That was a game that really stung after we controlled the game early being up 18 in the first and 12 points at the half.

Starters were Freshmen Gavin Dodge and Josh Elerts along with Sophomores JB Frolich and Maddox Malm plus Junior Conor Hession.  JB opened the scoring with a follow up bucket to put us up 2-1 but then the Broncos took control.  After two back to back three’s by #23 and another bucket, Northgate was up 13-3.  Josh added a pair of free throws and Gavin hit Josh down low for a bucket to make it 7-15 at the end of the first.

The Dons stormed back in the second starting with a Preston Hilsabeck follow up.  JB split a pair and Josh had a monster rejection on #23.  Maddox found Gavin for a banked three then added his own block on the other end.  Josh found Gavin inside to tie the score at 15 all capping an 8-0 run.  The Broncos answered to stop the bleeding momentarily and regain the lead.   Then Conor found Maddox for his first three of the night.  Maddox scored on the next possession with a nice lefty tip in and then returned the favor to Conor finding him for an easy deuce on the fastbreak as Dons went up 5, 24-19.  Josh put another notch in his block belt and then found Drew McKenzie for the bucket off another press break.  Conor RSVP’d to the Block Party as well before the quarter was over and the Dons marched into the locker room up 26-21.

We continued to pull away from the Broncos in the third with Gavin getting us on the board with a nice lefty spin move inside.  Gavin and JB had a nice give-and-go on the fastbreak culminating in another Gavin bucket.  After Gavin hit Josh for a reverse bucket inside and Maddox added another three ball, we were rolling up 35-22.  However, Northgate trimmed the lead to 8 with a few minutes left in the period.  Gavin found JB for a corner three.  JB was playing amazing defense in the backcourt and his pressure led to a Gavin steal as he jumped the passing lane and went all the way for an easy score.  Maddox added another three on a nice look from Drew and we were up 13 going into the fourth, 43-30.

We continued hold the Broncos off in the final period as Sam Bishop added two free throws to get us on the board first.  Then Maddox hit his fourth three on the night.  Gavin added a nice solo take and a coast to coast runner as well.  A JB bucket put the nail in the coffin as we were up 15 at that point and Coach Hemmenway started to empty the bench.  Liam Gallacher and Jake Elerts both added two free throws and the final was 60-51.

As a team, the Dons were 13/30 (47%) from 2FG, 6/17 (35%) from 3FG, 20/47 (43%) overall and 14/17 (82%) from the line to go along with 29 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 blocks, 7 steals and 19 turnovers.  Maddox had 14 points on 4/9 shooting from three with 3 rebounds, 2 assists,1 block and only 2 turnovers while running point most of his 27 minutes.  Gavin had another strong performance with 15 points on 7/17 shooting with 5 rebounds, 5 steals, 2 assists in 29 minutes.  Josh had a team high +/- of +15 with 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks in 25 minutes.

The Dons (9-10 overall, 5-5 in league) continue their road show Thursday 2/9 against Miramonte at 6pm with an excellent opportunity to go to .500 on the season before ending their journey with a Saturday final exam against a tough Campolindo squad at 4:30pm.

All stats can be found on MaxPreps: https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/lafayette/acalanes-dons/basketball/jv/stats/

Thanks for all your support and GO DONS!!!